In a brief statement on the company’s website, Vodafone today announced it has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in ten of its markets around the globe.
Later this year, Vodafone customers in the following countries will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network:
• Australia
• Czech Republic
• Egypt
• Greece
• Italy
• India
• Portugal
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Turkey
Source: Vodafone
In addition, there are reports that, from the list above, at least Australia and Italy will have iPhones available from multiple carriers:
“After months of speculation an industry insider (who has asked to remain anonymous) has confirmed to CNET.com.au that Optus will be one of several Australian mobile service providers to be selling Apple’s iPhone, with sales and service commencing in the last week of June,” Joseph Hanlon reports for CNET.
“Optus plans to make the announcement mid-May ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference on June 9 in San Francisco where Apple CEO Steve Jobs is tipped to launch the next generation of iPhone,” Hanlon reports. “While this source could not confirm a 3G version of the popular handset, they did suggest that Optus was expecting the upgraded models.”
“There remains further speculation as to which of the remaining Australian carriers will also licence the sale of the iPhone,” Hanlon reports.
Full article here.
Reuters reports, “Telecoms companies Vodafone and Telecom Italia will both sell Apple Inc’s iPhone in Italy, in an apparent break from previous exclusive carrier deals.”
“Neither Vodafone nor Telecom Italia provided many details. ‘Telecom Italia announced today it has signed a deal with Apple to bring the iPhone to Italy later this year,’ was all that the Italian group had to say on Tuesday,” Reuters reports.
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “GimliNZ” and “Linux Guy And Mac Prodigal Son” for the heads up.]
Rotten rats! Not yet in Japan! Dirty bastards!!!
around the world they go… picking up steam!
Vodafone????????? S**T ……
will that mean that when I turn on my iphone i will get the nusty
vf logo??????
Or maybe even worse.. the vodafone logo on the back of the iphone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if i find out that vodafone will be mentioned in just anyplace other than the carrier signal name I am going for an unlocked ver….
so much for the waining…..
Thank God Telstra didnt get it!!
iPhone, iPhone, iPhone … oi oi oi!
And Sweden will get it when?
@ Luke
I agree mate.
Been a Vodafone customer in Oz for years, and VERY happy about this.
@ Tassadar I do not believe that Apple will allow Vodafone logos on the iPhone.
And even if they do – just go to an Apple store (or online) and buy a phone from Apple directly!
my 2 cents
Luke
Too bad they couldn’t go around the world in 80 days.
Peace.
Calling Mac+, calling Mac+.
@ Luke and Connor!!!! Mates!
Optus too!!
We can only hope that Telstra is left out in the cold – since thy said it was only a toy and would not last….
iPhone, iPhone, iPhone… oi oi oi !!!!
@ Emil – never!
@Rip0ff
Needs 3G for it to work in Japan. I’m holding out in hopes of getting an iPhone that will roam in Japan, which my current phone will not do.
Yes… it was just the beggening!
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the only question is: what took apple so long?
Great news! Now how about coming down here to Singapore and the rest of the Asian countries real quick, eh Steve?
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WTF?
Where is Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark?
Does Steve suggest that we bring iPhone home from these when we are on holiday??